The Ethos of Being Trust-Based Session 1 | Permission to Pause: You Have To Go Slowly To Go Far

About the Series

The Ethos of Being Trust-Based, developed by Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, Philanthropy CA, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, is a webinar series dedicated to exploring the fundamental values and dispositions central to a trust-based approach. Join us as we examine the aspects of trust-building essential for a strong and healthy ecosystem at all levels: individually, interpersonally, inter-organizationally, and systemically. Each webinar will: 1) feature seasoned perspectives on some of the overarching concepts related to trust-based values and dispositions; 2) include stories and lessons from funders who try to live and breathe relational values; and, 3) offer space for small group reflection on how to cultivate what’s required to embed a trust-based ethos in our philanthropic practice.

About Session 1: Permission to Pause — You Have To Go Slowly To Go Far

The work we do in philanthropy—and the work of our nonprofit partners—is not immune to the complexities and chaos of a changing world. Amidst a global pandemic, threats to our democracy, and environmental devastation,  we are pushed to be hyperproductive problem-solvers. While these tendencies are brought to bear “in the heat of the moment,” they’re limiting over the long-term, especially when strategic thinking and attuned sensitivities are needed. We cultivate the latter by slowing down, stilling our minds, getting in touch with signals from our body, and allowing the resulting data to inform our action. Beneath our professional titles and roles, trust-based philanthropy acknowledges that we are one piece of a longer arc of time and a larger ecosystem, and that sometimes, we have to go slowly if we want to go far. In this session, we’ll:

• Explore diverse reflective practices that support us to slow down;
• Learn how to clearly see and check in with our intention and motivation before acting;
• Understand how habitual ways of responding, sometimes rooted in our own trauma, can sometimes sabotage authentic relationship and trust-building;
• Learn strategies for moving from habitual response into choice; and,
• Explore ways funders can support grantee partners and colleagues in cultivating these skills.